Michigan hunters fined for illegal bear hunt

RED LAKE – A pair of Michigan men has been fined a combined $1,500 for bear-hunting offences.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry say on Sept. 21, 2016 conservation officers were conducting an aerial patrol northwest of Red Lake.

During a routine inspection, a conservation officer determined Mackinaw City’s Philip Graver had shot a black bear without a valid non-resident bear-hunting licence.

As the investigation continued, MNRF officials determined Carp Lake, Mich.’s Gerald Krueger was in possession of a valid bear licence, but had unlawfully attached his seal to the illegally shot bear.

Graver was fined $1,000 for his offence, while Krueger was fined $500.

The bear was seized and permanently forfeited to the Crown.

According to a release issued by the ministry, in order to party hunt lawfully for a species of game, every member of the party must be licensed to hunt that species.

The case was heard in Red Lake court on Jan. 25.